Questions about drawing on computer, adobe illustrator?

1) what the f are vectors, explain very thoroughly.





2) explain why i should use a billion layers, like a seperate one for each thing, i'm sure there's a good reason, i just don't know it.





3) how the freakin hell do you do gradients?? i've just started trying to figure everything out and i've never done that kind of stuff before, i'm used to doing everything by hand, but this program isn't pressure sensitive...





please explain as if i were retardedQuestions about drawing on computer, adobe illustrator?
1. There are two basic types of graphics: raster graphics and vector graphics. The visible difference between the two is that when you zoom in a lot on a raster graphic, the image will become blurry, whereas on a vector graphic, you'll view the same crisp image no matter how much you zoom in. Vector graphics are presented to your computer screen in mathematical formulae rather than images that aren't as accurate.





2. Using layers allows for you to change your graphic a lot more easily. For example, if I was drawing a face, I would have a layer for his hair, eyes, mouth, etc. Then when I go back to color it, I can edit them individually and move them around individually without cutting it out first or re-drawing.





3. Gradients are always a tool on image editting software like Photoshop, you can press the hotkey ';G'; on photoshop to get the gradient. It's under the same menu as the paint bucket, which is why you may be confused.Questions about drawing on computer, adobe illustrator?
1. Vectors I have no clue.





2. You should use a billion layers because it's easier that way. For example, you have something that you want to color, then you color and you mess up, you then erase and the entire picture or part of it is gone. That's where layers come in. You can create another layer so that if you mess up and erase then the bottom picture won't be erased as well. They are really useful and not only for that but for many many things which I can't really explain because I need to be doing it to explain.





3. Ok for gradients you need to find like this little square icon that has black lightening up going into white. Then click it and choose your colors then you can use it by dragging it across the drawing area.








^_^ hope it helped.
Gradients, in Illustrator are a ';fill function.'; You have to select a closed object and then fill it. The object may or may not have a stroke around it. This object may be a vector drawn one or one drawn with the freehand brush or pencil tool.